Expectations for Georgia’s football team have been sky-high since it advanced to the College Football Playoff national championship game in 2017. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they've fallen short of all of them.
In 2018, Georgia was ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25 to start the year andthen won 11 of its first 12 games before losing a 14-point lead to Alabama in the SEC championship and falling out of the College Football Playoff picture. The Bulldogs fell again in theconference title game in 2019 and were ousted by Florida for the SEC East championship in 2020.
The story entering this season was similar. The Bulldogs showed great promise in winning their last four games of 2020and junior quarterback JT Daniels was one of the top four preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy, according to Vegas Insider. Ranked No. 5 in the AP preseason Top 25, Georgia had a big opportunity to prove itself against No. 3 Clemson, which had advanced to the College Football Playoff in each of the past six seasons.
BENDER: Georgia shows why it's possible for defense to win championships
This year, the Bulldogs proved they are out to meet — and perhaps exceed — the expectations with a 10-3win over the Tigers in the Duke’s Mayo Classic in front of 74,187 fans at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday night.
Georgia’s defense dominated the entire game, limiting Clemson to 180 total yards — and just 2 net yards rushing —and sacking sophom*ore quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei seventimes. Its lone touchdown was a 74-yard interception return by senior safety Christopher Smith with 2:58 remaining in the second quarter.
The Bulldogs forced five three-and-outs and punts on fiveof Clemson’s 10drives. It was the first time the Tigers, who did not score until a 22-yard field goal from senior kicker BT Potter with 9:08 left in the fourth quarter, failed to score in the first half after a run of 143 consecutive games, the longest streak in the FBS.
Sporting News provided live updates and highlights from the Bulldogs’ win over the Tigers.
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Georgia vs. Clemsonscore
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | F | |
| Clemson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Georgia | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
Georgia vs. Clemson live updates, highlights
Live updates will begin around kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET.
11:04 p.m.: Georgia junior running back Zamir White picks up a first down, and that will seal a very important victory for the Bulldogs.
11:01 p.m.: Georgia is in the midst of an eight-play, 37-yard drive that has it down to Clemson's 18-yard line with 51 secondsleft in the fourth quarter. The Tigers are out of timeouts, as the Bulldogs are facing a third-and-3.
10:49 p.m.: Clemson advanced to Georgia's 45-yard line and attempted to convert on fourth-and-5, though Uiagalelei's pass intended for sophom*ore EJ Williams was incomplete. The Bulldogs will take over, leading 10-3 with 4:48 left in the fourth quarter.
10:42 p.m.: Correction: After review of the play, Clemson is called for a roughing the kicker penatly, though the officials appeared to miss a late hit from Georgia on freshman wide receiver Will Taylor on the return.
10:37 p.m.: Daniels completed apass to senior running back James Cook on third-and-4, and Clemson forced a Georgia punt and will take over at its 34-yard line.
10:30 p.m. : CLEMSON FIELD GOAL. Uiagaleleihad a 44-yard pass to Ngata and the Tigers were boosteda pass interference penalty to move themto Georgia's 5-yard line, though they could not punch it in theend zone. Clemsonsenior kicker B.T. Potter converted a 22-yard field goal and Georgia now leads 10-3 with 9:08 left in the fourth quarter.
10:18 p.m.: Daniels is sacked by sophom*ore defensive end Myles Murphy at Georgia's 46-yard line, and Clemson will begin its next drive at its 13-yard line.
Third quarter: Georgia 10, Clemson 0
10:10 p.m.: Uiagalelei is sacked for a sixth time, and Clemson is backed up to its 10-yard line and forced to punt. The Tigers have just 92 yards of total offense, including 19 rushes for minus-19 yards.
For reference: Clemson has not been shut out in a game since its 30-0 loss to Georgia on Aug. 30, 2003.
10:02 p.m.: GEORGIA FIELD GOAL. Podlesny converts a 22-yard attempt and the Bulldogs now lead 10-0 with 2:38 left in the third quarter. It was an 11-play, 81-yard drive for Georgia, which is now up to 201 yards of total offense.
9:48 p.m.: Clemson senior linebacker Baylon Spector intercepted Daniels at Georgia's 33-yard line. However, the Tigers gave up three consecutive sacks on their next drive, putting them back to Georgia's 42-yard line. Spiers punted for 28 yards and the Bulldogs will begin their next series at their 14-yard line.
Clemson’s offensive line owes DJ 8 steak dinners after tonight pic.twitter.com/3NSRaTMYip
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 5, 2021
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) September 5, 2021Great play here by Baylon Spector, recording his first career interception! #ALLIN
Watch live on ABC: pic.twitter.com/PYKs60Mu1F
9:41 p.m.: Uiagalelei was sacked by Dean, pushing the Tigers back to their own 45-yard line. Spiers punted 43 yards and the Bulldogs will start at their 12-yard line.
9:39 p.m.: Clemson converted an 11-yard pass to junior wide receiver Joseph Ngata for a first down. The Tigers are in the midst of a 6-play, 30-yard drive to Georgia's 45-yard line.
Halftime: Georgia 7, Clemson 0
9:14 p.m.: Halftime stats: In a defensive-minded game, Georgia leads in total yardage, 110 to 90, and each team has six first downs. Georgia is 3-of-7 on third down while Clemson is 2-of-8. Uiagalelei has completed 10-of-20 passes for 89 yards and an interception, while Daniels has converted 13-of-16 passes for 68 yards. Clemson has just one rushing yard on 10 attempts while Georgia has 42 on 13 attempts.
The Tigers' streak of scoring in 143 consecutive games in the first half has been snapped.
9:10 p.m.: Clemson is called for a delay of game on fourth-and-10 from Georgia's 37-yard line. The Tigers punted 42 yards for a touchback. Georgia leads 7-0 with 53 seconds left in the first half.
9:04 p.m.: Rosemy-Jacksaint is down on the field. He had a season-ending ankle injury last season against Florida in the Bulldogs' sixth game.
8:57 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN GEORGIA. Georgia senior safety Christopher Smith recorded a 74-yard interception return on a pass from Uiagalelei intended for junior wide receiver Justyn Ross. The Bulldogs lead, 7-0 .
GEORGIA PICK-SIX 🏡☎️ pic.twitter.com/z8afd8J0Ua
— ESPN (@espn) September 5, 2021
8:51 p.m.: Clemson punted on fourth-and-9 from its 16-yard line, though the football touched a Georgia player,the Tigers recovered and sophom*ore running back Kendall Milton returned the ball for one yard to the 50-yard line.
8:45 p.m.: Bresee has returned to the game for Clemson. Georgia was forced to punt on fourth-and-1 from its 34-yard line, leading to a fair catch from Clemson sophom*ore safety Ray Thornton III at the Tigers' 14-yard line.
The teams have combined for nine first downs. Georgia is 3-of-7 on third down while Clemson is 1-of-4. Clemson has scored in the first half in 143 consecutive games, which is the longest streak in the FBS, though that record is on the line tonight.
8:37 p.m.: Clemson had a pair of snaps mishandled, leading to a fourth-and-5 for the Tigers at Georgia's 44-yard line. Spiers punted 35 yards and the Bulldogs will start their next drive on their 9-yard line.
So far, Georgia has accumulated 73 offensive yards (52 receiving, 29 rushing) and Clemson has 31 yards (35 receiving, minus-4 rushing).
8:36 p.m.: Clemson got its first first down of the night, as Uiagalelei completed an 11-yard pass to junior wide receiver Joseph Ngata.
8:32 p.m.: Georgia junior kicker Jack Podlesny missed a 36-yard field goal, keeping the score tied at zero.
First quarter: Clemson 0, Georgia 0
8:27 p.m.: Georgia advanced to Clemson's 22-yard line before the Bulldogs had an incomplete pass and then an ineligible man downfield penalty.
8:23 p.m.: Georgia senior linebacker James Skalski left the field with an apparent injury. He is one of the Tigers' most experienced players and is the only player ever to appear in five ACC Championship games.
8:20 p.m: Georgia sophom*ore defensive tackle Bryan Bresee left the game with a right shoulder injury.
8:17 p.m: Clemson junior safety Jalyn Phillips is whistled for pass interference on third-and-7, giving Georgia a first down at its 45-yard line.
8:12 p.m: Uiagalelei is sacked for a second time, this time by Georgia junior linebacker Nakobe Dean. Uiagalalei has completed just one pass for six yards so far. Clemson has minus-5 offensive yards so far.
8:03 p.m.: Georgia was whistled for a delay of game on fourth-and-3 at Clemson's 42-yard line, negating a chance for the Bulldogs to attempt a conversion. Camarda then punted 45 yards to Clemson's 2-yard line. Still n o score.
7:58 p.m.: Clemson sophom*ore quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was sacked by Georgia junior linebacker Nolan Smith on third-and-8 at the Tigers' 4-yard line. Clemson senior Will Spiers punted for 51 yards before Georgia junior wide receiver Kearis Jackson returned the ball for six yards to the Tigers' 49-yard line.
Huge sack by Georgia's defense❗️ pic.twitter.com/Gi1pjVexPw
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 5, 2021
7:52 p.m.: Georgia freshman offensiveguard Tate Ratledge was observed being carted off the field after an apparent injury. His status for the remainder of the game is uncertain.
7:52 p.m.: Clemson forced Georgia off the field, forcing a 1-yard pass on third-and-8. Bulldog senior punter Jake Camarda punted 38 yards on fourth-and-7,down to the Tigers' 10-yard line.
7:48 p.m.: Georgia junior quarterback JT Daniels completed a four-yard pass to sophom*ore receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint for a first down on third-and-4.
7:46 p.m.: Clemson won the coin toss and deferred. Georgia junior running back Kenny McIntosh returned the ball to the the Bulldogs' 25-yard line.
7:40 p.m.: Former Clemson and current Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is in attendance for Saturday's game.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 4, 2021. @Trevorlawrencee pulled up to the Clemson-Georgia game 🙌 @brgridiron
ESPN's 'College GameDay' was set up outside Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, to preview Saturday's game between the third-ranked Tigers and fifth-ranked Bulldogs. Here are some of the highlights from the morning.
COLLEGE GAMEDAY IS BACK AND SO IS COACH CORSO 👏❤️ pic.twitter.com/ELy5Kmvtcg
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 28, 2021
Thanks for having us @CollegeGameDay ! pic.twitter.com/2sOl1vCbn9
— No. 9 Team (@Hendrick9Team) September 4, 2021
Today’s College GameDay feature on Coach Bobby Bowden 🕊 pic.twitter.com/YXwOaDoTU6
— Tomahawk Nation (@TomahawkNation) August 28, 2021
College GameDay signs will never let us down pic.twitter.com/ko42BRuPvi
— Student Union Sports (@StudentUSports) September 4, 2021
How to watch Georgia vs. Clemson
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: ABC
- Live streams: WatchESPN, fuboTV
Clemson vs. Georgia will air live on ABC, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. You can stream the game live online with WatchESPN or on fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial.
Clemson football schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| Week 1 | Sept. 4 | vs. Georgia (Charlotte) |
| Week 2 | Sept. 11 | vs. South Carolina State |
| Week 3 | Sept. 18 | vs. Georgia Tech |
| Week 4 | Sept. 25 | at NC State |
| Week 5 | Oct. 2 | vs. Boston College |
| Week 6 | Oct. 15 | at Syracuse |
| Week 7 | Oct. 23 | at Pittsburgh |
| Week 8 | Oct. 30 | vs. Florida State |
| Week 9 | Nov. 6 | at Louisville |
| Week 10 | Nov. 13 | vs. UCONN |
| Week 11 | Nov. 20 | vs. Wake Forest |
| Week 12 | Nov. 27 | at South Carolina |
Georgia football schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| Week 1 | Sept. 4 | vs. Clemson (Charlotte) |
| Week 2 | Sept. 11 | vs. UAB |
| Week 3 | Sept. 18 | vs. South Carolina |
| Week 4 | Sept. 25 | at Vanderbilt |
| Week 5 | Oct. 2 | vs. Arkansas |
| Week 6 | Oct. 9 | at Auburn |
| Week 7 | Oct. 16 | vs. Kentucky |
| Week 8 | Oct. 30 | vs. Florida |
| Week 9 | Nov. 6 | vs. Missouri |
| Week 10 | Nov. 13 | at Tennessee |
| Week 11 | Nov. 20 | vs. Charleston Southern |
| Week 12 | Nov. 27 | at Georgia Tech |
